Although we had little appetite, our meals were taken as usual. We had
gone below for that purpose, and were seated in the cabin, when the
sound of a gun was heard, and a sharp cry reached our ears from the
deck. A'Dale hurried up to inquire what was the matter.

"The enemy have fired, and one of our poor fellows has been hit," he
answered, coming back. "To escape is no longer possible. The captain
has, therefore, ordered the sails to be lowered, but advises that all
the passengers should remain below, lest when the enemy first come on
board they may be inclined to treat them roughly."

Although Captain Radford had shown that he had submitted, the enemy
continued firing as they approached, and not till they had got close to
us, and had hove to, did they cease attempting to injure us. Several
more of our people were hit, and two poor fellows killed outright. We
had no barber or surgeon on board, and it was sad to see the poor
fellows who were injured suffering without the means of helping them.
Some of the women did their best, however, having attended to their
friends wounded on different occasions by the Spaniards. A'Dale and I
could not resist going up on deck to ascertain how matters were
proceeding. Three boats from the leading ship of the enemy were
approaching us. The crews sprang on board, their officers demanding in
fierce tones why we had attempted to escape.

Captain Radford answered that his object was to make as quick a voyage
as he could to England, having British subjects on board, who desired to
reach their native land without delay.

"Let me see them immediately," answered the officer; and Master Clough
and the rest of his attendants were summoned on deck.

"They are returning to England, having received orders to quit the
Netherlands," observed Captain Radford, as he introduced them.

"But you have many more passengers: who are they?" inquired the officer.

"They are poor people desiring to settle in England," said Captain
Radford. "They came on board my ship, requesting a passage, and I saw
no reason to refuse them."

"In other words, they are rebels, escaping from the laws and justice of
their country!" exclaimed the officer. "I understand it all. It is
fortunate for you that you are an Englishman, and that our countries are
at peace, or you would very speedily be dangling at your yard-arm. As
it is, you will accompany us back to the nearest port in Flanders we can
make, where al